Apartment Living Room Decor Ideas

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy

Over the past couple weeks, I’ve been slowly showing you more of my home in Pittsburgh. Decorating this new space has been such a fun process. I hope you enjoy watching these spaces unfold as much as I am. Today we’re returning to my living room so you can see how I’ve started to pull together the opposite side of the room.

As I mentioned, I was waiting for my media console to arrive. Thankfully, it’s finally here. And with the help of a few accessories, I have something to share.

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

This area still needs a few tweaks and minor additions, but I’m loving how this is all coming together.

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

Side note: If you’re looking for sources of products, please check the end of this post. You can also visit SHOP IBC for more products from my home.

So, let’s talk about the media console – although it’s a sideboard. according to Crate & Barrel. Whatever it’s called, I knew this was “the piece” for a couple reasons. First, black console bridges my living room and the dark cabinets in my kitchen.

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

Secondly, and maybe most importantly, I’m crazy about this piece. I’ve seen it a couple of times in several interior design layouts, and it caught my attention each time. The glass door fronts will allow me to have fun with decor items, or I can use baskets for hidden storage and texture. Win. Win.

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

Right now, the console is sparsely decorated, but I did bring in a few key accessories, including, a modern brass and marble globe table lamp. I love how the lamp looks with other elements in the room.


Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

I also found this five-feet-tall cactus. I couldn’t say no to it because it adds great color, movement, and a touch of quirky to this space.

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

Oh, and I also swapped out a throw pillow on the couch for one I had ordered way back in May when I was in NYC. It was on back order forever. I’m loving it!

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

Now, there are still a few more things I want to do in this space and some others I’m on the fence about. Let me walk you through my thoughts:

1. A rug. It was actually just delivered after I shot these photos, so stay tuned for that.

2. I might paint the wall behind the TV. (In fact, I’ve thought about painting the entire apartment as I greatly dislike these builder beige walls. I’d rather have white, however, I’m not sure it’s worth it since I’ll have to repaint them beige when I move out.)

3. The white box to the right of the TV is where my HVAC unit is located. Should I simply ignore it or should I attempt to “hide” it? I feel like trying to camouflage it might make it stand out more.

4. I’m also considering adding shelving to the left of the cactus. It doesn’t show in any of these photos, but I have about four feet to work with. I’m not sure if I truly need shelves or if they would just be an invitation to clutter. Art may be a better choice.

5. I’d still like to get new end tables and lamps.

6. I’m not sure what it would be, but I would like to add extra seating opposite the green chair. Maybe some stools like these or these? Or a bench? Or another side chair?

7. Finally, I’m also wondering about curtains. I’m on the fence about them, but my guess is they would make the whole place feel cozier.

If you have opinions, thoughts, or advice on any of this, please let me know in the comments.

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

Apartment Living Room Decor and Styling Ideas | Inspired by Charm

Also, in case you’ve missed any of my apartment updates, you can check them all out here.

I hope you enjoyed seeing this side of my living room. Stay tuned for more!

Rooms Sources:

Sofa | West Elm
Side Chair | West Elm
Pillow | Rejuvenation
Coffee Table | West Elm
Media Cabinet | Crate & Barrel
Overhead Light | Schoolhouse Electric
Accent Lamp | West Elm
Planter | Rejuvenation
Side Table / Bench | HomeGoods
Weiner Dog | Anthropologie (no long sold)
Gold Dot Planter | Anthropologie (no long sold)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

29 Comments

  1. I think the space looks great so far. I didn’t even notice the HVAC until you mentioned it. I think the dark console and cactus draw the eye away from the unit. I agree about the painting; if the beige is as light as it looks in the photos, my thought is save yourself the time, effort and money. As for the rest, just do you and it’ll be wonderful. Have fun!

    1. Awww. That means so much to hear, Sue. It’s definitely been a challenge in this space, but I’m glad the cozy is coming through.

      xo Michael

  2. Just found your blog and I love it! About your hvac cover, we have air vents in every room on the wall. I painted them the same color as the room and you hardly notice them.

  3. Loving the new space! I need that cactus in my apartment, ASAP. 🙂 I wanted to share the following cage stools from Noir, they have get things. I’m an interior designer so I’m not sure if they only sell to the trade but it may be worth a call. I feel these would be great for the space because they add balance but the wire aspect still allows the space to feel open.

    http://noirfurniturela.com/product/details/GSTOOL147MT?category=Stools%20(NOIR)